US Open 2025. Don't expect any sensations
Time flies very quickly. It's the end of summer, which means that the final tennis major of the year is about to start. Yes, you heard right, look back because almost eight months of 2025 have passed, and there are only three months left until the end of the tennis season. The US Open, as always, attracts players with a huge prize fund and the opportunity to inscribe their name in the history of world tennis. What it will be like, only time will tell, and our editorial team invites you to think about the favorites and breakthroughs, as well as engage in forecasting. Let's get to it.
Millions
$90 million. That is the prize fund for the American tournament this year. A larger figure has not been seen in the history of tennis. The event's budget has grown by 20 percent over the year, which is quite substantial, as not every organizer can afford such expenses these days. Most of the money, of course, will go to the winner ($5 million), and just for participating in the first round, one can receive $110,000. Let's be happy for the challenger-level players, as by passing the qualification, they will ensure a decent end to the year. By the way, reaching the second week will be rewarded with a $400,000 bonus. Incredible figures.
A Year Ago
Do you remember how the tournament ended in 2024? It was a dull final, with no real intrigue. The title went to Jannik Sinner (how surprising), and his opponent was Taylor Fritz. And here is where the intrigue begins, as the American has a lot of points to defend. Can he do it? That's a big question.
The American series was uneven for Fritz, as he often lost. In Washington, he couldn't overcome Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and in Toronto, he was defeated by Ben Shelton. This is all forgivable, which cannot be said about the Masters in Cincinnati. Here, Taylor unexpectedly lost to Terence Atmane, and it doesn't matter that the Frenchman beat others as well – the fact of the loss raises questions.
The American tennis player doesn't have many chances to defend his points at the US Open, as he is very dependent on circumstances, but he can minimize losses by reaching the quarterfinals. This is a more realistic goal. Taylor is likable in many ways because he has been in the top ten for a long time, so we can wish him luck.
Maybe It's Time?
There are those who are stable. However, there are also those from whom progress is constantly expected, but unfortunately, not everything works out. These tennis players evoke sympathy in some and bewilderment in others. The main thing is that they are not indifferent to the outside viewer, so they should be mentioned in this article.
Andrey Rublev
Maybe believing in Rublev is naive. The Russian tennis player has been on the tour for a long time, has seen a lot, and won many titles. However, he has yet to play the tournament of his life. Let us remind you that Andrey has never been in a Grand Slam semifinal, with the quarterfinal being his best stage. Currently, the ranking situation is much worse than before.was a couple of years ago, and now he has to face the top players as early as the 4th round, but as they say, hope dies last. If Rublev wants to show a decent performance in New York, he will have to do more than just be on the court and hit the ball hard; he will literally have to survive in the later stages. We believe that the tennis player is quite capable of making it to the second week, and then everything depends on his readiness. And luck, of course, as you can't do without it.
Why is Rublev mentioned in this article? It's simple. The match against Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati. Yes, he lost, but the Russian managed to fight for victory against the Spanish legend for the second time in a row. You might say that Carlitos was playing at half strength, but he likely didn't want to give away a set. And let's be objective, the deciding set was evenly matched, and it was only the ending that determined the outcome. Rublev can defeat the favorites, but he needs to take a few more steps, primarily in his mind. The likelihood of achieving this before the US Open is small, but it still exists.
Alexander Zverev
We can't do without him. The lack of intrigue in men's tennis makes us worry even more about those chasing the leaders. And of course, we're talking about Alexander Zverev, who is one of the favorites in any tournament he participates in (though not the top favorite, of course). What will happen in New York with the German, no one knows, but in any case, he cannot be written off. Otherwise, the article would be very short.
Sasha's form raises questions. This concerns both his physical condition and psychological state. The tennis player didn't perform well in the recent major events, as he was clearly expected to win in Toronto, being the top seed there, but unfortunately, a loss to Karen Khachanov dashed all hopes.
There was also the tournament in Cincinnati and the routine semifinal for the player. Zverev literally swept Toronto champion Shelton off the court, but once again couldn't handle Alcaraz. The Spaniard didn't even notice his opponent. It was too easy a victory.
And again, Zverev is capable of defeating any opponent, as strange as it may sound, but throughout his career, he has had the same issue as another hero of this section and his good friend. Sasha is psychologically unstable, and until that changes, he won't be able to beat the leaders. But he is still included in the material. You don't want to read about just two players, do you? So let's move on.
Breakthroughs. Highly Uncertain
Every tournament is expected to have bright breakthroughs, as Grand Slams are a time for surprises, but there aren't that many new names. For example, the recent Wimbledon didn't present the world with a true star, only local successes, and the tournament in New York shouldn't be expected to bring discoveries either. If someone does make a name for themselves, you will definitely know their name, as they are likely already on the verge of breaking into the top ranks. In this section, we propose to analyze possible sensations, but it's far from certain that the major in New York will be successful for them.
Frances Tiafoe
We've kind of forgotten about this tennis player. Tiafoe is still continuingmaintain a high ranking, yet it's hard to call this season a good one. The player isn't delighting with deep runs in tournaments, often stopping at the second or third round. The upcoming US Open is a crucial moment of the year for the American. He needs to defend his semifinal, and any early loss could drop Frances in the rankings.
A breakthrough is definitely possible. New York is Tiafoe's favorite place. He is always effective at this major, and the crowd simply adores him. The tennis player has staged spectacular matches on the central courts, and there is no doubt that the organizers will not overlook him and will again give him a chance to play on the big stage. Keep an eye on this guy; perhaps he has just been in the shadows until now.
Ben Shelton
There is no doubt that the American is much more promising than his section neighbor and comrade (with all due respect to Tiafoe). Shelton has already achieved impressive results and will surely update his best achievements. However, the American still has work to do, as the last tournament in Cincinnati clearly showed. Shelton managed to win a Masters in Canada, but in the USA, he stumbled against a top player.
We're talking about Alexander Zverev, who outplayed Shelton purely on psychology. And this is the American's problem: if an opponent starts playing differently than he initially thought, he experiences bursts of aggression. Those who watched the match against the German remember the second set and the long outs well. For other examples, you don't have to look far; just recall the last match at Wimbledon against Jannik Sinner. Ben, despite having a formidable serve, lost 0:3 in sets without much of a chance.
In conclusion about Shelton, it can be said that this tennis player is undoubtedly talented, but his capabilities are significantly limited compared to his opponents. Ben has good prospects at the US Open... Until the first match against a top player, although a high seed will clearly allow him to go far in the tournament. And this will definitely not be a sensation.
The Veteran is Still in the Game
It would be strange not to mention Novak Djokovic. Yes, he hasn't retired yet and even decided to participate in the mixed doubles, which will take place a week before the main tournament, serving as a good warm-up. Should we expect big results from the Serb? Unlikely. But no one forbids us from hoping and believing. Novak has accustomed us to always fighting to the end. And if the tennis player is going to play, he is motivated. And let's not talk about the financial aspect; remember the COVID years when Djokovic missed major tournaments due to his stance on vaccination.
The essence of "Nole's" participation lies only in how he can withstand matches against top players. The recent matches have been disappointing, and the player's health can no longer endure the long distance of a tournament. Djokovic hasn't played official matches since Wimbledon, which isn't a tragedy, but it indicates that the veteran is no longer able to handle a heavy workload. The second week of the tournament in New York is likely for the Serb, but beyond that, there are big questions. It remains just observe.
Only One Bublik. And Without Tea
It so happened that the last revelation at the Grand Slam was Alexander Bublik, who made a mark at Roland Garros. You must admit, it was impressive, especially since the tennis player had long admitted his dislike for clay courts. No one has yet managed to overshadow the Russian with a Kazakhstani passport. Wimbledon did not bring us any standout breakthroughs. So what about Bublik? Here, things get very interesting, as the tennis player chose an unusual schedule for himself, once again drawing attention.
Let's recall that Alexander exited Wimbledon early, losing in the first round. And then... He went on to play on clay. And here, all of Bublik's previous statements about slow surfaces lost their meaning: two tournaments played, and both won. The opponents in Gstaad and Kitzbühel were not top-tier, but this does not diminish the player's achievements.
Things get even more intriguing. Instead of going to play the Masters, Bublik took a vacation and ended up in his homeland, where he managed to meet with a famous actor and his friend (no need to mention the surname) and even attended a football match. After recharging, the tennis player flew to New York, and at the time of writing, he is already in the USA.
So what was the point of this section? Perhaps it's just a hint to go get some tea, since Bublik is already here. In reality, something special is always expected from Alexander, and his recent results only fuel interest. The tennis player is capable of making any tournament more exciting, and results don't always matter. We would like to see another breakthrough from the player. Winning certainly suits him more than putting on performances on the court.
About the Most Boring
A few hours ago, the final of the Masters in Cincinnati took place. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz played there. Nothing new. However, the match was not completed, as the Italian retired at 0-5 in the first set. Nothing was working, and the tennis player did not seem like himself.
Don't jump to conclusions, as people are prone to illness. Athletes are no exception. The reason for Sinner's withdrawal was feeling unwell, and it's unlikely this will have serious consequences. There is still plenty of time before the main draw starts, and there is an opportunity to recover, especially since the Italian withdrew from the mixed doubles. Of course, Jannik might not make it to New York, but that will only happen if we have underestimated the tennis player's ailments and there is indeed something serious.
As much as we would like intrigue, it's unlikely this US Open will see a new finalist. Alcaraz and Sinner stand out among the others and have a huge advantage over the long haul. The players are well-prepared both physically and psychologically, and minor issues don't prevent them from winning (remember Sinner's elbow at Wimbledon). Who can stop them? Only health. But rooting for such a scenario is irrational. We wish the tennis players nothing but high-quality tennis.
P.S
This article does not claim to be the truth but merely expresses the opinion of a group of people. Of course, you may have a different point of view about the upcoming US Open. But there's definitely something that unites us – the desire to witness great tennis, filled with vibrant emotions. Our editorial team wishes you an enjoyable viewing experience, smart bets, and vivid impressions! We'll see you in two weeks to summarize the event. See you on Scores24!
